At first glance, the latest AYP numbers for APS can be alarming: eighty-one percent of the district's schools failed to meet federal standards. Out of the 130 schools tested, only 26 made the grade. Furthermore, 61 schools are being restructured, which is a last resort for schools that have continually failed to meet AYP.

Brooks said the numbers only tell one side of the story.

"I think the AYP targets are for so many schools, not realistic," Brooks said. "They become demoralizing."

So last year, APS had all of their schools set their own goals. Brooks outlined the results of some of those goals Tuesday.

Brooks said in 2008, only 40 percent of students at La Mesa Elementary were proficient in reading. The goal for 2009 was 47 percent. He said the school attained 48 percent.

However, AYP standards said 50 percent is needed to make the grade.

"The theory is, if they hit those two or three years in a row, they're going to hit the AYP target," Brooks said.

When it comes to reading and math, the district achieved 10 out of the 14 goals it set. Still, Brooks said there is work to be done.

"We've got to have higher expectations for our kids, of ourselves," Brooks said.

Brooks said the bottom line is that most APS schools are making progress, just not at the pace of AYP.

"I fully anticipate that our scores next year will be better than what they are this year," Brooks said.

Brooks also made a guarantee about the district's high school graduation rate, which was 44 percent last year. He said that next year, there will be at least 50 more students graduating from each high school in Albuquerque.